Whether you are a patient or visitor at West Hills Hospital & Medical center, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Causes

The abdominal wall covers the front of the body from the ribs to the pelvis. It normally keeps abdominal tissue in place. When this wall tears or weakens, tissue pushes out. This creates a hernia. The tissue pushed through can be loops of intestine, fat, or other tissue. The weakness may be caused by:

Increased abdominal pressure

Surgery or injury to abdomen

Weak spots may be present at birth. Others may develop later in life from general weakness, injury, or from surgery.

Risk Factors

Older adults are at increased risk.

Factors that may increase your risk for ventral hernia include:

Heavy lifting

Coughing

Straining during bowel movements

Excess body weight

Previous abdominal surgery

Surgical wound infection

Pregnancy

Symptoms

Hernias produce a bulge under the skin. It may not cause any other symptoms. Sometimes you may notice pain that increases during the day. Activities that may cause pain include:

Coughing

Straining during bowel movements or urination

Heavy lifting

Sitting or standing for long periods of time

Sometimes a loop of intestine becomes trapped in the abdominal wall. This may lead to a blockage of the intestine. Strangulation can also occur if the hernia is slowing or blocking blood flow. Symptoms of a strangulated hernia include:

Continuous, severe pain

Redness

Nausea and vomiting

High fever

Increased sweating

Constipation

A strangulated hernia is a medical emergency. It requires immediate surgery.

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Images may be taken of your abdomen and intestines. This can be done with:

Abdominal ultrasound

CT scan

Treatment

Many hernias enlarge over time. A hernia may be easily pushed back in, without causing any symptoms. In this case, your doctor may choose to watch it. Otherwise, surgery is usually performed to fix the weakened area of the abdominal wall.

Surgery

Hernias are repaired with surgery. During the surgery, the displaced organs are put back into place. The damaged wall is repaired. A piece of mesh may also be placed over the area to provide extra support.

Prevention

To help reduce your chance of getting a ventral hernia, take these steps:

Learn proper lifting techniques.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.